Anchor assembly for fastener

ABSTRACT

An anchor assembly for walls comprises a toggle member and a strap member pivotally mounted together, and a locking member. In a first position, the toggle member is aligned with the strap member for insertion through the wall, whereas in a second position, the toggle member extends behind the wall at an angle relative to the strap member which extends from the toggle member through the hole in the wall. The locking member is adapted to be displaced along the strap member until it engages the wall and to be locked on the strap member. Therefore, the locking member and the toggle member are connected by the strap member and imprison the wall by abutting respectively the visible and hidden sides thereof. A fastener introduced through the locking member and the wall threadably engages an opening defined in the toggle member.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

N/A.

FIELD

The present subject-matter relates to wall anchors and, moreparticularly, to a wall anchor for use typically in hollow walls, suchas those made of friable materials, e.g. gypsum.

BACKGROUND

U.S. Pat. No. 4,294,156 issued on Oct. 13, 1981 to McSherry et al.discloses an anchor assembly for retaining an elongated fastener withinan opening defined in a wall. The anchor assembly includes a channelmember acting as a toggle, and a pair of straps extending from thechannel member and being pivotally mounted thereto. A pulling ring isprovided at the ends of the straps opposite their ends connected to thechannel member. A collar is engaged around the two straps and can bedisplaced, ratchet-type, towards the channel member. A hole is firstdefined through the wall and the channel member, oriented parallel tothe straps is inserted through the hole such as to extend behind thewall, the channel member adopting once having passed the opening in thewall an orientation generally perpendicular to the straps and lyingagainst the hidden surface of the wall after the straps have been pulledon via the pulling ring. The collar is then displaced along the strapsand towards the wall until it firmly abuts the visible surface of thewall, the wall being imprisoned between the channel member and thecollar which are connected by the straps. The pulling ring and thesections of the straps which extend forwardly of the collar can then becut and a fastener can then be engaged through the collar and through athreaded opening defined in the channel member thereby allowing thefastener to be secured to the wall and to hold an article Thereto.

U.S. Pat. No. 4,075,924 issued on Feb. 28, 1978 and U.S. Pat. No.4,650,386 issued on Mar. 17, 1987, both to McSherry et al., are also ofinterest.

SUMMARY

It would thus be desirable to provide a novel anchor assembly typicallyfor use with a fastener in hollow walls.

The embodiments described herein provide in one aspect an anchorassembly for walls, comprising a strap member, a spring member, a togglemember pivotally mounted to said strap member, and a locking memberslidable along said strap member, said toggle member being displaceablebetween first and second positions thereof, wherein in said firstposition said toggle member is substantially aligned with said strapmember for insertion through a hole in the wall while biasedly engagingsaid spring member, wherein in the first position the toggle member isengaged to the strap member, wherein said toggle member once behind thewall is adapted to be displaced towards said second position by saidspring member, and wherein in said second position said toggle memberextends behind the wall at an angle relative to said strap member withsaid strap member extending from said toggle member through the hole inthe wall, said locking member being adapted to be displaced along saidstrap member and towards the wall and said toggle member, whereby oncethe anchor assembly is installed, said locking member and said togglemember are connected by a distal section of said strap member andimprison the wall by abutting opposed sides thereof, said toggle memberbeing adapted to be engaged by a fastener introduced through saidlocking member and through the hole in the wall.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of the embodiments described herein and toshow more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference willnow be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings, whichshow at least one exemplary embodiment, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an anchor assembly in accordance with afirst exemplary embodiment, and showing a toggle member of the anchorassembly in a first insertion position thereof, a wall beingschematically shown in phantom lines;

FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 1,and showing the toggle member in a second retention position thereof;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 1 with thetoggle member shown in the second position thereof;

FIGS. 4 and 5 are top plan views of the anchor assembly of FIG. 1 withthe toggle member shown respectively in the first and second positionsthereof;

FIGS. 6 and 7 are respectively side elevational and rear elevationalviews of the anchor assembly of FIG. 5;

FIGS. 8 to 13 are various views of a toggle member, a strap member and alocking member of the anchor assembly;

FIG. 14 is an exploded perspective view of an anchor assembly inaccordance with a second an exemplary embodiment, and showing a togglemember of the anchor assembly in a retention position thereof;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 14, andwith the toggle member shown in the retention position thereof;

FIG. 16 is a further perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 14and with the toggle member shown in the second position thereof;

FIGS. 17a to 17i are successive partly cross-sectional schematic sideviews showing the installation of the anchor assembly of FIGS. 14 to 16into a wall;

FIG. 18 is an exploded perspective view of an anchor assembly inaccordance with a third exemplary embodiment, and showing a togglemember of the anchor assembly in a retention position thereof;

FIG. 19 is a further exploded perspective view of the anchor assembly ofFIG. 18, and with the toggle member shown in the retention positionthereof;

FIGS. 20 to 22 are various perspective views of the anchor assembly ofFIG. 18, and with the toggle member shown in the retention positionthereof;

FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 18 and withthe toggle member shown in an insertion position thereof;

FIG. 24 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view taken along line 24-24 ofFIG. 23, showing the anchor assembly of FIG. 23 with the toggle membershown in the insertion position thereof;

FIGS. 25a to 25i are successive partly cross-sectional schematic sideviews showing the installation of the anchor assembly of FIGS. 18 to 24into a wall;

FIG. 26 is a side view of the anchor assembly of FIG. 18 and with thetoggle member shown in an at-rest, i.e. retention, position thereof, andwith the toggle member and collar being shown transparent forillustrating purposes such as to detail interactions thereof with thestrap member;

FIGS. 27a and 27b are side and bottom plan views, respectively, of thestrap member of the anchor assembly of FIG. 18;

FIGS. 28a and 28b are front and rear views, respectively, of the collarof the anchor assembly of FIG. 18; and

FIGS. 29a and 29b are front and top plan views, respectively, of thetoggle member of the anchor assembly of FIG. 18.

DESCRIPTION OF VARIOUS EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 1 to 3 illustrate an anchor assembly A, which is adapted to bemounted to a wall W for use with a fastener (not shown), such as ascrew. The anchor assembly A comprises a cutting and retention member 10hereinafter referred to as the toggle member 10, a strap member 12pivotally connected at pivot 14 to the toggle member 10, and a lockingmember, such as collar 16. The strap member 12 is thus pivotallyconnected at its rear end to the toggle member 10 and is provided at itsfront end with a grip member 18. The strap member 12, preferably made ofplastic, is of substantially semi-circular cross-section and defines aseries of ratchet teeth 20 on an outside surface thereof. The collar 16is displaceable along the strap member 12, that is only towards thetoggle member 10, the collar 16 including inner locking elements 21(FIGS. 4 to 6) which co-act with the ratchet teeth 20 in order toprevent the collar 16 from being displaced away from the toggle member10.

The toggle member 10 defines at a leading, i.e. rear, end thereof athreaded cutting member 22 defining a pointed end and cutting edges 24for cutting through a friable wall W material when the toggle member 10is rotated using, for instance, a screwdriver while the toggle member 10is in its position shown in FIG. 1, that is in a generally alignedposition thereof with respect to the strap member 12. In fact, thetoggle member 10 does not have to be in the aligned position at leastduring insertion of the threaded cutting member 22 into the wall W, andgenerally until the forward end of the strap member 12 abuts, or isclose to, the visible side of the wall W.

Accordingly, a proximal, i.e. trailing, end of the toggle member definesa cruciform recess 26 adapted to be engaged by a Phillips-typescrewdriver. It is understood that other types of female recesses oreven male extensions, engageable respectively by suitable screwdriverbits or by suitable rotatable sockets, could also be used.

A spring-loaded tab 28 is provided at the rear, i.e. leading, end of thestrap member 12 such as to be engaged by the toggle member 10 when thelatter is aligned, as in FIG. 1, with the strap member 12, such thatonce the toggle member 10 has been inserted completely through the wallW, the spring-loaded tab 28 biasedly releases the toggle member 10 toits transversal retention position shown in FIG. 2. The toggle member 10also includes pointed teeth 30 adapted to engage the hidden side of thewall W when the strap member 12 is pulled on.

Accordingly, when it is desired to install the anchor assembly A in thewall W, the toggle member 10 is substantially brought into alignmentwith the strap member 12, as shown in FIG. 1. Then, a suitable tool,such as a screwdriver or a power driven screwdriver bit, is engaged inthe cruciform recess 26 of the toggle member 10 and is then rotated suchthat the cutting member 22 of the toggle member 10 defines a hole in thewall W. Once the toggle member 10 has been inserted completely throughthe wall W, the spring-loaded tab 28 of the strap member 12 swings thetoggle member 10 to its transversal position shown in FIGS. 2 and 3,that is generally perpendicular to the strap member 12.

The strap member 12 is then pulled away from the wall W, such that thepointed teeth 30 of the toggle member 10 engage the hidden surface ofthe wall W. The collar 16 is then slid towards the wall W along theratchet teeth 20 of the strap member 12 that is until a skirt 32 of thecollar 16 is inserted in the hole defined in the wall W, and a flange 34of the collar 16 abuts the visible side of the wall W. The grip member18 is held onto by the user while the collar 16 is displaced towards thewall W. The collar 16 is slid longitudinally along the strap member 12,and without being able to rotate with respect to the strap member 12 asa result of the non-circular opening 36 defined in the collar 16, whichdefines shoulders 37 (FIGS. 1 to 3) that are engaged by the longitudinaledges 39 of the strap member 12, as best seen in FIG. 1.

Once the wall W is firmly imprisoned between the toggle member 10 andthe collar 16, the grip member 18 and the section of the strap member 12extending between the grip member 18 and the flange 34 of the collar 16,can be discarded, for instance, by cutting or, as in the presentembodiment, by bending as the strap member 12 is provided with weakenedareas which allow the strap member 12 to be separated in two. Theremaining portion of the strap 12 thus connects the toggle member 10 tothe collar 16 within the hole in the wall W.

A fastener can then be engaged through the central opening 36 defined inthe collar 16, within a semi-circular channel 38 defined longitudinallyalong the strap member 12, and through an opening 40 defined in thetoggle member 10. The opening 40 in the toggle member 10 may be, forinstance, tapped by the fastener such that the fastener becomes firmlysecured to the anchor assembly A which itself is firmly secured to thewall W, as explained hereinabove. If the opening 40 is provided with amachine tap, a bolt can be used as the fastener. If the fastener isprovided at its head, for instance, with a hook, the anchor assembly Acan be used in a ceiling.

FIGS. 14 to 16 illustrate a variant anchor assembly A′, which is similarto the anchor assembly A of FIG. 1, whereby in the following descriptionand drawings that pertain thereto, components of anchor assembly A′which are identical in function and identical and/or similar instructure to corresponding components of anchor assembly A of FIG. 1(and FIGS. 2 to 13) bear the same reference as in FIG. 1 (and FIGS. 2 to13), but are tagged with the prefix “1” and are thus in the hundredswith the last two digits thereof being identical to the referencenumerals of corresponding components of anchor assembly A. Newcomponents (or components not identified for anchor assembly A) providedin anchor assembly A′ start at reference numeral 142.

Generally, both anchor assemblies A and A′ are very similar, except fortheir toggle members, as explained hereinbelow. The anchor assembly A′is also adapted to be mounted to a wall for use with a fastener (notshown), such as a screw. The anchor assembly A′ comprises a retentionmember 110 hereinafter referred to as the toggle member 110, a strapmember 112 pivotally connected at pivot 114 to the toggle member 110,and a locking member, such as collar 116. The strap member 112 is thuspivotally connected at its rear, leading, end to the toggle member 110and is provided at its front end with a grip member 118.

The strap member 112, preferably made of plastic, is of substantiallysemi-circular cross-section and defines a series of ratchet teeth 120 onan outside surface thereof. The collar 116 is displaceable along thestrap member 112, that is only towards the toggle member 110, the collar116 including inner locking elements (not shown) which co-act with theratchet teeth 120 in order to prevent the collar 116 from beingdisplaced away from the toggle member 110, i.e. from being retractedback towards the grip member 118.

The toggle member 110, as opposed to the toggle member 10 of the anchorassembly A of FIG. 1, does not define at a leading end thereof athreaded cutting member. Therefore, in the case of the anchor assemblyA′, a hole must be formed, e.g. drilled, through the wall before theanchor assembly A′ can be mounted thereto, as will be explained in moredetail hereinafter. The toggle member 110 is of C-shaped cross-sectionsuch that an open side 142 thereof faces the collar 116, when the togglemember 110 is in the transversal retention position thereof shown inFIGS. 14 to 16.

A spring-loaded tab 128 is provided at the rear, i.e. leading, end ofthe strap member 112 such as to be engaged by the toggle member 110 whenthe latter is aligned with the strap member 112 (this position isgenerally shown in FIG. 1 with respect to anchor assembly A). Therefore,with the toggle member 110 and the strap member 112 in such a generallyaligned insertion position, the toggle member 110 can be insertedthrough the wall.

Once the toggle member 110 has been introduced completely past thehidden surface of the wall, the spring-loaded tab 128 biasedly releasesthe toggle member 110 to its transversal retention position shown inFIGS. 14 to 16. The tab 128 includes a V-shaped tongue 144 that isforcibly folded or collapsed when the toggle member 110 is brought tothe insertion position and that causes, as it plastically returns to itsat-rest position (see FIGS. 14 to 16) the toggle member 110 to displaceto its transversal retention position. Parallel and more importantlyco-planar linear edges 146 of the toggle member 110 are adapted tobearably engage the hidden side of the wall when the strap member 112 ispulled on.

Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. 17a to 17i , when it is desired toinstall the anchor assembly A′ in the wall W, a hole H is first formedthrough the wall W, using for instance a drill bit B (see FIG. 17a ).The toggle member 110 is then substantially brought into alignment withthe strap member 112 (as seen in FIG. 17b ), against the bias of thespring-loaded tab 128, and is inserted completely through the wall W(see FIGS. 17c and 17d ). In FIG. 17d , the spring-loaded tab 128 of thestrap member 112 swings the toggle member 110 to its transversalretention position shown in FIGS. 14 to 16, that is generallyperpendicular to the strap member 112.

The strap member 112 is then pulled away from the wall W, along arrow148 in FIG. 17e , such that the linear edges 146 of the toggle member110 engage the hidden surface of the wall W. The collar 116 is thenslid, along arrows 150 (FIG. 17e ) towards the wall W and the togglemember 110, along the ratchet teeth 120 of the strap member 112, that isuntil a skirt 132 of the collar 116 is inserted in the hole H defined inthe wall W and a flange 134 of the collar 116 abuts the visible side ofthe wall W. The grip member 118 is held onto by the user while thecollar 116 is displaced towards the wall W. The collar 116 is slidlongitudinally along the strap member 112, and without being able torotate with respect to the strap member 112 as a result of thenon-circular opening 136 defined in the collar 116, which definesshoulders 137 (see FIGS. 14 and 15) that are engaged by longitudinaledges 139 of the strap member 112, as best seen in FIG. 15.

Once the wall W is firmly imprisoned between the toggle member 110 andthe collar 116, the grip member 118 and the section of the strap member112 extending between the grip member 118 and the flange 134 of thecollar 116, can be discarded, for instance, by cutting or, as in thepresent embodiment, by bending (see FIG. 17f ) as the strap member 112is provided with weakened areas which allow the strap member 112 to beseparated in two. As shown in FIG. 17g , the remaining portion of thestrap 112 thus connects the toggle member 110 to the collar 116 withinthe hole H in the wall W.

Still referring to FIG. 17g , a fastener, such as a screw or a bolt S,can then be engaged through the central opening 136 defined in thecollar 116, within a semi-circular channel 138 defined longitudinallyalong the strap member 112, and through an opening 140 defined in thetoggle member 110. This opening 140 in the toggle member 110 may be, forinstance, tapped by the fastener such that the fastener becomes firmlysecured to the anchor assembly A′ which itself is firmly secured to thewall W, as explained hereinabove. If the opening 140 defines a machinetap (as in FIGS. 17a to 17i ), the bolt S can be used as the fastener.If the fastener is provided at its head, for instance, with a hook, theanchor assembly A′ can be used in a ceiling. Here, the bolt S is used tomount a hook fixture F to the wall W, as seen in FIGS. 17g to 17 h.

Furthermore, FIGS. 18 to 29 b illustrate another variant anchor assemblyA″, which is similar to the anchor assemblies A and A′ of FIG. 1 (andFIGS. 2 to 13) and FIG. 14 (and FIGS. 15 to 17 i), whereby in thefollowing description and drawings that pertain thereto, components ofthe anchor assembly A″ which are identical in function and identicaland/or similar in structure to corresponding components of anchorassemblies A and A′, but are tagged with the prefix “2” and are thus inthe two hundreds with the last two digits thereof being identical to thereference numerals of corresponding components of the anchor assembliesA and A′. New components (or components not identified for either anchorassemblies A and A′) provided in the anchor assembly A″ start atreference numeral 260.

Generally, the anchor assembly A″ of FIG. 18 is more similar to theanchor assembly A′ of FIG. 14 than to the anchor assembly A of FIG. 1.The main differences between the anchor assembly A″ of FIG. 18 and theanchor assembly A′ of FIG. 14 are: (1) the anchor assembly A″ has aspring-loaded tab 228 that includes an extended curved tail 260; (2) thepointed teeth 230 of the toggle member 210 of the anchor assembly A″ arecurved inwardly (as best seen in FIGS. 29a and 29b ); and (3) the collar216 of the anchor assembly A″ has a pair of spring-loaded arms 262, eachprovided with a locking element 221 adapted to co-act with the ratchetteeth 220 of the strap member 212 to prevent the collar 216 from movingaway from the toggle member 210 once the collar 216 has engaged theratchet teeth 220 of the strap member 212. We will now provideadditional details on the foregoing.

The anchor assembly A″ is also adapted to be mounted to a wall for usewith a fastener, such as a screw S shown in FIG. 25i . The anchorassembly A″ mainly comprises a retention member 210 hereinafter referredto as the toggle member 210, the strap member 212 pivotally connected atpivot 214 to the toggle member 210, and a locking member, such as thecollar 216. The strap member 212 is thus pivotally connected at itsrear, leading, end to the toggle member 210 and is provided at its frontend with a grip member 218.

The strap member 212, preferably made of plastic, is of substantiallysemi-circular cross-section and defines a series of ratchet teeth 220 onan outside surface thereof. The collar 216 is displaceable along thestrap member 212, that is only towards the toggle member 210, in thatthe collar 216 for instance includes the inner locking elements 221(part of the pair of spring-loaded arms 262), which co-act with theratchet teeth 220 in order to prevent the collar 216 from beingdisplaced away from the toggle member 210, i.e. from being retractedback towards the grip member 218.

The toggle member 210, as opposed to the toggle member 10 of the anchorassembly A of FIG. 1, herein does not define at a leading end thereof athreaded cutting member, but it could, Therefore, in the case of theanchor assembly A″, a hole must be formed, e.g. drilled, through thewall before the anchor assembly A″ can be mounted thereto, as will beexplained in more detail hereinafter. The toggle member 210 is ofC-shaped cross-section such that an open side 242 thereof faces thecollar 216, when the toggle member 210 is in the transversal retentionposition thereof shown in FIGS. 18 to 22.

The spring-loaded tab 228 is provided at the rear, i.e. leading, end ofthe strap member 212 such as to be engaged by the toggle member 210 whenthe latter is aligned with the strap member 212 (this position is shownin FIGS. 23, 24 and 25 c). Therefore, with the toggle member 210 and thestrap member 212 in such a generally aligned insertion position, thetoggle member 210 can be inserted through the wall.

In this insertion position, the spring-loaded tab 228 is in a biasedstate. Also, in this insertion position, the toggle member 210 isretained to the strap member 212 by way of the inwardly curved pointedteeth 230 of the toggle member 210, which grasp the longitudinal edges239 of the strap member 212 and so retain the toggle member 210 and thestrap member 212 engaged together (in the aligned insertion position),and against the spring force of the spring-loaded tab 228 that is in acollapsed position.

Again in the insertion position, the extended curved tail 260 of thespring-loaded tab 228 extends past one of the longitudinal ends of thetoggle member 210 and is, along with its spring-loaded tab 228, biasedin a collapsed position. A curved free end 264 of the tail 260 extendsoutwardly away from the strap member 212, as well seen in FIG. 24.

Generally, once the toggle member 210 has been introduced completelypast the hidden surface of the wall, the anchor assembly A″ is pulledaway from the wall such that the free end 264 engages the hidden side ofthe wall, causing the curved tail 260 to pull on the toggle member 210,thereby releasing the toggle member 210 from the strap member 212. Thetoggle member 210 then spring backs so as to assume its transversalretention position shown in FIGS. 18 to 22. This will become moreapparent when described hereinbelow with reference to installation FIGS.25a to 25 i.

As for anchor assembly A′, the tab 228 includes a V-shaped tongue 244that is forcibly folded or collapsed when the toggle member 210 isbrought to the insertion position and that causes, as it plasticallyreturns to its at-rest position (of FIGS. 18 to 22) the toggle member210 to displace to its transversal retention position. Parallel andco-planar edges 246 of the toggle member 210 are adapted to bearablyengage the hidden side of the wall when the strap member 212 is pulledon. The pointed teeth 230 of the toggle member 210 are then adapted topenetrate the hidden side of the wall.

Accordingly, with reference to FIGS. 25a to 25i , when it is desired toinstall the anchor assembly A″ in the wall W, a hole H is first formedthrough the wall W, using for instance a drill bit B (see FIG. 25a ). Asseen from FIG. 25b to FIG. 25c , the toggle member 210 is then pivotedalong arrow 266 and substantially brought into alignment with the strapmember 212 (as seen in FIG. 25b ), against the bias of the spring-loadedtab 228 (and its V-shaped tongue 244), until the pointed teeth 230 ofthe toggle member 210 engage the longitudinal edges 239 of the strapmember 212 and so connect together the toggle member 210 and the strapmember 212 (in the aligned insertion position).

As per FIGS. 25c and 25d , the toggle member 210 is inserted along arrow268 completely through the wall W.

In FIG. 25d , once the toggle member 210 has been introduced completelypast the hidden surface of the wall W, the anchor assembly A″ is pulledaway from the wall W, along arrow 270, such that the free end 264 of thecurved tail 260 engages the hidden side of the wall W, causing thecurved tail 260 to pull on the toggle member 210, thereby releasing thetoggle member 210 from the strap member 212, as shown in FIG. 25e .Under the spring force of the spring-loaded tab 128 of the strap member112, the toggle member 210 then spring backs, along arrow 272, to itstransversal retention position shown in FIGS. 18 to 22 and also in FIG.25f , which is generally perpendicular to the strap member 212.

The strap member 212 is then pulled away from the wall W such that thelinear edges 246 of the toggle member 210 engage the hidden surface ofthe wall W (or this may result when the collar 216 is moved towards thewall W, as described hereinafter). The collar 216 is then slid, alongarrows 274 (FIG. 25f ) towards the wall W and the toggle member 210,along the ratchet teeth 220 of the strap member 212, that is until askirt 232 of the collar 216 is inserted in the hole H defined in thewall W and a flange 234 of the collar 216 abuts the visible side of thewall W. The grip member 218 is held onto by the user while the collar216 is displaced towards the wall W, and may be pulled along arrow 276if the toggle member 210 is not yet in abutting engagement with thehidden surface of the wall W, which is the case illustrated in FIG. 25f. The collar 216 is slid longitudinally along the strap member 212 untilit assumes the position shown in FIG. 25g and the toggle member 210 isin contact with the hidden surface of the wall W.

Once the wall W is firmly imprisoned between the toggle member 210 andthe collar 216, the grip member 218 and the section of the strap member212 extending between the grip member 218 and the flange 234 of thecollar 216, can be discarded, for instance, by cutting or, as in thepresent embodiment, by bending (see FIG. 25h ) as the strap member 212is provided with weakened areas which allow the strap member 212 to beseparated in two. As also shown in FIG. 25h (and in FIG. 25i ), theremaining portion of the strap 212 thus connects the toggle member 210to the collar 216 within the hole H in the wall W.

Now referring to FIG. 25i , a fastener, such as a screw or a bolt S, canthen be engaged through the central opening 236 defined in the collar216, within a semi-circular channel 238 defined longitudinally along thestrap member 212, and through an opening 240 defined in the togglemember 210. This opening 240 in the toggle member 210 may be, forinstance, tapped by the fastener such that the fastener becomes firmlysecured to the anchor assembly A″ which itself is firmly secured to thewall W, as explained hereinabove. If the opening 240 defines a machinetap or thread as herein (see FIG. 21), the bolt S can be used as thefastener. If the fastener is provided at its head, for instance, with ahook, the anchor assembly A″ can be used in a ceiling. Here, the bolt Sis used to mount a hook fixture F to the wall W, as seen in FIG. 25 i.

The steps shown in FIG. 25c to FIG. 25e can thus conveniently beachieved using a single hand.

While the above description provides examples of the embodiments, itwill be appreciated that some features and/or functions of the describedembodiments are susceptible to modification without departing from thespirit and principles of operation of the described embodiments.Accordingly, what has been described above has been intended to beillustrative of the embodiments and non-limiting, and it will beunderstood by persons skilled in the art that other variants andmodifications may be made without departing from the scope of theembodiments as defined in the claims appended hereto.

1. An anchor assembly for walls, comprising a strap member, a springmember, a toggle member pivotally mounted to said strap member, and alocking member slidable along said strap member, said toggle memberbeing displaceable between first and second positions thereof, whereinin said first position said toggle member is substantially aligned withsaid strap member for insertion through a hole in the wall whilebiasedly engaging said spring member, wherein in the first position thetoggle member is engaged to the strap member, wherein said toggle memberonce behind the wall is adapted to be displaced towards said secondposition by said spring member, and wherein in said second position saidtoggle member extends behind the wall at an angle relative to said strapmember with said strap member extending from said toggle member throughthe hole in the wall, said locking member being adapted to be displacedalong said strap member and towards the wall and said toggle member,whereby once the anchor assembly is installed, said locking member andsaid toggle member are connected by a distal section of said strapmember and imprison the wall by abutting opposed sides thereof, saidtoggle member being adapted to be engaged by a fastener introducedthrough said locking member and through the hole in the wall.
 2. Ananchor assembly as defined in claim 1, wherein a proximal section ofsaid strap member located forwardly of said locking member is adapted tobe removed once the anchor assembly is installed and the locking memberabuts the wall.
 3. An anchor assembly as defined in any one of claims 1and 2, wherein locking means are provided for preventing said lockingmember from being displaced away from said toggle member, once theanchor assembly is installed.
 4. An anchor assembly as defined in anyone of claims 1 to 3, wherein said spring member includes an extendedfree end, which is adapted to release the toggle member from the strapmember and thereby allow the toggle member to displace from the first tothe second positions.
 5. An anchor assembly as defined in claim 4,wherein the extended free end is curved and is adapted to disengage thetoggle member from the strap member by pulling on the anchor assemblysuch that the free end engages a hidden side of the wall.
 6. An anchorassembly as defined in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein, in the firstposition, the toggle member is engaged to the strap member by way ofhooks provided on the toggle member and adapted to releasingly engagethe strap member.
 7. An anchor assembly as defined in claim 6, whereinthe hooks include grasping teeth that extend inwardly from edges of thetoggle member.
 8. An anchor assembly as defined in claim 7, wherein thetoggle member is hollow such as to accommodate therein part of the strapmember, in the first position.
 9. An anchor assembly as defined in anyone of claims 6 to 7, wherein the grasping teeth are at least one ofpointed and curved.
 10. An anchor assembly as defined in any one ofclaims 6 to 9, wherein in the first position, the spring member extendsbetween the toggle member and the strap member.
 11. An anchor assemblyas defined in claim 10, wherein the extended free end of the springmember extends past the toggle member, in the first position.